The 40-year-old hung up his boots after in 2019 after a spell back with boyhood club Feyenoord, where the ex-Netherlands international eventually moved into coaching.

Van Persie has spent this season in charge of the Dutch side's Under-18s and now takes his first post as manager at Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen.

'I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal,' the former striker said. 'I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me.

'Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters.

Van Persie had been approached to be part of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff atUnited when he became manager in 2022, but turned down the chance for family reasons.

'My son and daughter are important right now,' Van Persie told the Life After Football magazine in 2022. 'The fact that they have both found their passion is great. A hobby is nice, but you hope that they really find a passion.

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'In London, when I played at Arsenal, we moved five times. We also lived in Manchester and Istanbul. All in all, we were away for almost fourteen years.

'But then we thought "what's good for the kids now?" and felt a little stability would be nice.'

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